Look back and be captivated by the extraordinary talents of our November 2023 Writers & Wine performers. These artists, whose accolades shine as brightly as the stage they graced, have worked alongside some of the biggest names in country music. Their award-winning journeys added a layer of magic to an already enchanting evening. Below, you can discover the incredible stories of the artists featured in our November 2023 show.
Stay tuned as we begin curating a new lineup of equally talented and inspiring artists for future events. We will update this section with exciting details as we approach our next unforgettable gathering!
Travis Howard
Travis, originally hailing from Georgia, is a songwriter and producer who discovered solace from the weight of Southern guilt and shame in the vibrant city of Los Angeles. Until the age of 26, he often felt like an outsider, but everything changed when he found himself in East Hollywood. Suddenly, his story resonated with everyone, becoming a shared experience for many. His career took flight as he began crafting country hits alongside Miranda Lambert, and his songwriting prowess led him to collaborate with esteemed artists like Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Waylon Payne, Brooks & Dunn, and Reba McEntire.
Kylie Sackley
As a prodigious performer hailing from her homeland of Australia, Kylie captivated audiences with her profound understanding of country music, her exquisitely emotive vocals, and her electrifying stage presence. Her pivotal moment arrived when she clinched the coveted title of Australia’s most prestigious country music talent search, Star Maker (with Keith Urban as a previous victor).
Currently residing and composing in the vibrant musical hub of Nashville, Kylie exhibits mastery across all facets of songcraft, effortlessly crafting lyrics, melodies, music, and contributing innovative production concepts. Notably, Kylie’s compositions have found their way into the repertoires of esteemed artists such as Sam Hunt, Keith Urban, Randy Houser, Alan Jackson, Danielle Bradberry, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, and many others. This illustrious list includes Walker Hayes’ hit single, “You Broke Up With Me,” a testament to Kylie’s enduring impact on the world of country music.
Marty Dodson
Marty Dodson was born in Apple Valley, California, and moved around for several years until his family settled in Nashville, TN. Ten #1 songs and more than 150 cuts later, Marty has become one of the most accomplished writers in Nashville with notable hit singles such as “Fire It Up” by Joe Cocker, “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” by Kenny Chesney, “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” & “Let Me Down Easy” by Billy Currington. His songs have been recorded by numerous artists including: Blake Shelton, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, The Plain White T’s, The Oak Ridge Boys, Don Williams, Johnny Reid, Billy Ray Cyrus and Big & Rich.
Marty’s self-professed “greatest achievement” in his songwriting career to date was knocking artist Psy (“Gangnam Style”) out of the #1 spot in South Korea and winning “Song of the Year” honors for South Korea and all of Asia with his song “Bounce” recorded by Cho Yong Pil. Marty currently resides in Nashville TN with his wife Candy and is the owner and writer for Sail Away Songs.